Wire-crested Thorntail vs Purple-throated Carib
Discosura popelairii compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wire-crested Thorntail | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Discosura popelairii | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 6.6 cm (2.6 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 2.5 g (0.09 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest; forages high in canopy at flowering bromeliads and epiphytes. Supplements … | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Wire-crested Thorntail
Rapid, light twittering with crystalline quality; bright airy notes cascading freely in animated display above canopy.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Wire-crested Thorntail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and far western Brazil. 200–1,400 m elevation.
Purple-throated Carib
Found throughout the Lesser Antilles from Saba to Grenada. Prefers mature forest and flowering trees. Sea level to 800 m.
Conservation Status
Wire-crested Thorntail
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Wire-crested Thorntail
Bronze-tailed Comet: males with brilliant coppery-orange crown; glittering teal gorget; metallic green back; bronze tail; females duller
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Wire-crested Thorntail
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm plus extended tail wires in males, total 12-13 cm). Males have a spectacular erect green crest and long, wire-like outer tail feathers. Found in Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Peru. Nectarivore. One of the most ornate hummingbirds.
Purple-throated Carib
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent. Males have iridescent purple throat and green body. Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. Larger and more aggressive than Green-throated Carib, dominating flower territories.